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Town Administrator William Keegan said Dedham applied yesterday to the state for a $1.5 million grant that would allow it to redesign and improve the sidewalks and streetscapes of Dedham Square.
The long-expected application for a public works economic development program grant could ultimately result in safer crosswalks, improvements in traffic flow and street amenities such as brick sidewalks and gas lamps.
Dedham appears to be in a good position for the grant because it recently received a high score in the annual Commonwealth Capital rankings, which evaluate how consistently a municipality's planning and zoning practices align with what the state calls its sustainable development principles. The Commonwealth Capital score comprises 30 percent of the total grant score.
In addition, Dedham has already effectively been awarded another 10 percent of its grant score for designating a priority development site. The Keystone Lot, the free parking lot off Eastern Avenue in Dedham Square, was named as such a site by Town Meeting last spring.
Keegan told selectmen last night that Economic Development Director Karen O'Connell, the Engineering Department and Dedham Square Circle collaborated on the grant application. The effort was spurred by the Square Circle's Engineering the Future campaign, begun in 2007, which raised upwards of $25,000 to pay for an engineering study of the Square.
Also at the selectmen's meeting:
- Keegan reported that he and the Capital Expenditures Committee reviewed nearly $19 million worth of programs at their meeting Monday night, coming up with a $5.5 million spending plan for various projects for fiscal 2010.
Keegan said the spending includes $1.5 million for road improvements, which Dedham expects to couple with $500,000 in road funds from the state. The list also includes $125,000 for four police cars, $300,000 to refurbish the Fire Department's Ladder 1, and $230,000 for boiler replacement at Oakdale School.
The committee's spending recommendations ultimately need the approval of Town Meeting.
- While permanent Dedham Square fixes are expected through the state grant, Keegan said this past week the town has beefed up pedestrian safety at Square crosswalks for the time being by placing police sawhorses at the intersection of High Street and Eastern Avenue.
He noted that there have been a number of people who have had close calls at that intersection, and that one man was struck there recently. The man suffered minor injuries Feb. 9 as he crossed Eastern Avenue.
Daily News staff writer Edward B. Colby can be reached at 781-433-8336 or ecolby@cnc.com.
Town Administrator William Keegan said Dedham applied yesterday to the state for a $1.5 million grant that would allow it to redesign and improve the sidewalks and streetscapes of Dedham Square.
The long-expected application for a public works economic development program grant could ultimately result in safer crosswalks, improvements in traffic flow and street amenities such as brick sidewalks and gas lamps.
Dedham appears to be in a good position for the grant because it recently received a high score in the annual Commonwealth Capital rankings, which evaluate how consistently a municipality's planning and zoning practices align with what the state calls its sustainable development principles. The Commonwealth Capital score comprises 30 percent of the total grant score.
In addition, Dedham has already effectively been awarded another 10 percent of its grant score for designating a priority development site. The Keystone Lot, the free parking lot off Eastern Avenue in Dedham Square, was named as such a site by Town Meeting last spring.
Keegan told selectmen last night that Economic Development Director Karen O'Connell, the Engineering Department and Dedham Square Circle collaborated on the grant application. The effort was spurred by the Square Circle's Engineering the Future campaign, begun in 2007, which raised upwards of $25,000 to pay for an engineering study of the Square.
Also at the selectmen's meeting:
- Keegan reported that he and the Capital Expenditures Committee reviewed nearly $19 million worth of programs at their meeting Monday night, coming up with a $5.5 million spending plan for various projects for fiscal 2010.
Keegan said the spending includes $1.5 million for road improvements, which Dedham expects to couple with $500,000 in road funds from the state. The list also includes $125,000 for four police cars, $300,000 to refurbish the Fire Department's Ladder 1, and $230,000 for boiler replacement at Oakdale School.
The committee's spending recommendations ultimately need the approval of Town Meeting.
- While permanent Dedham Square fixes are expected through the state grant, Keegan said this past week the town has beefed up pedestrian safety at Square crosswalks for the time being by placing police sawhorses at the intersection of High Street and Eastern Avenue.
He noted that there have been a number of people who have had close calls at that intersection, and that one man was struck there recently. The man suffered minor injuries Feb. 9 as he crossed Eastern Avenue.
Daily News staff writer Edward B. Colby can be reached at 781-433-8336 or ecolby@cnc.com.
